Mikel Merino turned home a late equaliser to save Spain's blushes, after Jorrel Hato's red scuppered a fine Netherlands performance in Rotterdam.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Nico Williams opened the scoring Tijani Reijnders and Cody Gakpo gave Netherlands a deserved leadHato's red left the door open for late equaliserFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱AFPTELL ME MORE

Spain took the lead against the run of play after Jorrel Hato was caught in possession by Lamine Yamal. The young winger found his club team-mate Pedri, who duly squared the ball to Nico Williams. The Bilbao winger blasted home in the ninth minute.

The Netherlands steadily grew into the game, bossing possession for much of the first half. The pressure finally told in the 28th minute, when Cody Gakpo rifled a low finish into the Spanish net after a well-worked move, inspired by a marauding run by Jeremie Frimpong.

The Netherlands quickly asserted their dominance after the break, scoring their second a minute after the second half whistle. Again Frimpong was the inspiration, as the Leverkusen ma ndrove into the Spanish box before finding Tijjani Reijnders. The AC Milan midfielder produced a fine finish into the far corner of Unai Simon's goal.

La Roja posed little threat to Die Oranjee's during the second half, until an 82nd minute red for a rash tackle by Hato invited mounting pressure for the game's final moments. Eventually, the Spanish attack told. Bart Verbruggen could only parry a Williams effort back into the box, allowing substitute Merino to turn the rebound into an empty net in the 93rd minute.

AdvertisementTHE MVP

Jeremie Frimpong offered a constant threat on the right flank for the Netherlands, playing a key role in both goals. The Leverkusen man was playing in a more advanced position than for his club, and appeared to relish the freedom.

AFPTHE BIG LOSER

Jorrel Hato will rue his costly mistakes as his two key interventions in the game resulted in Spain's first goal, and a crucial red card which invited Spanish pressure. The young full-back has an exciting future, and will be a key part of Ronald Koeman's plans going forward, but he must be more composed if he is to thrive on the international stage.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

The two sides will meet again in Valencia on Sunday. Tempers began to fray in the second half, and with progress in the Nations League on the line, it promises to be another intense 90 minutes.